Glucosamine is a sugar produced by the body which helps in the formation of substances called glycosaminoglycan¹. These are building blocks for cartilage and are essential for its growth and repair.
Large dog breeds are usually more predisposed to arthritis, but overall it affects all dog breeds, ages, and sizes, this is why dog health supplements are a good idea.
Significant causes of hip and joint pain include arthritis, trauma, joint instability, bone infections, autoimmune disorders, and old age.
With age, production of glucosamine in the body diminishes, this consequently may lead to:
- Damage of the cartilage
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Joint stiffness
- Lameness.
Osteoarthritis in dogs is a chronic disorder and treatment is geared toward relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life of senior dogs, this can be done through the prescription of steroids, use of health supplements and a diet that supports cartilage growth and maintenance when you notice signs of arthritis in dogs.
In some cases, canine surgery may be required to address the root cause, some options include Cruciate (Extracapsular Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair Dog ACL), TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) or TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement).
Glucosamine for Dogs Dosage
How much glucosamine do you give a dog?
Usually, the glucosamine dose is high at the beginning of the treatment until there is a marked improvement in the symptoms, afterward, it's typically reduced and given continuously for the remainder of the dog’s life.
Calculating the right dosage for your dog
Typically, the recommended glucosamine dose for your dog is 20 mg/day per pound of body weight, for small dogs between 5-25 lbs the treatment is 250-500mg per day.
For example, dogs that weight 30lbs should take about 600mg per day while dogs that weight 60lbs should take 1,200mg/day. Remember, your Vet might suggest different doses depending on your dog's specific medical history.
A New Type Of Supplement That Dogs Love
The glucosamine that is popular in food supplements for arthritic dogs offers the same benefits similar to the one naturally produced in the body, it's usually derived from crab, lobster or shrimp shells and it comes in the form of glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate. It is dispensed at a suggested dosage rate of 20mg/lb.
Until recently, dog joint supplements were available in the form of tablets, powder or liquid, all very difficult to get dogs to eat. But Ruff Hero’s innovative dog supplements come as a soft chewable treat loaded with all nutrients recommended for senior dogs and in dog-approved yummy taste.
Ruff Hero
- Reduce Inflammation
- Effective Pain Relief
- Improve Mobility
- Repair Cartilage
- Boost Immune System
- Dog approved Taste
- 74+ Minerals
Glucosamine 'Hidden' Benefits
- It’s a natural anti-inflammatory agent which helps relieve pain, swelling, and joint stiffness
- This joint supplement for dogs helps maintain the structural integrity of the cartilage preventing further damage.
- Glucosamine chondroitin for dogs is a powerful combination that inhibits destructive enzymes in the joint fluid from damaging the cartilage.
- It’s also used in dogs after joint surgery to fasten wound healing and scar tissue formation.
How To Avoid Buying The Wrong Supplement
Canine joint supplements are not only for treating rheumatoid arthritis in dogs, but also for healthy pups looking to remain active for longer. Make sure to check this list before choosing a supplement for your dog:
- Choose a Supplement with Multiple Active Ingredients: For maximum efficacy, it is important to go for the joint supplement that contains more than two of the available ingredients. Apart from glucosamine, your chosen supplement should also include MSM, turmeric, and chondroitin sulfate. A combination of three or more of these will have maximum benefits to your dog. You can find a good variety of supplements at 1800PetMeds.
- Check the Number of Active Ingredients: If the amount of active ingredients is not indicated on the product (in milligrams), it is likely that it contains very low levels that could not substantially help your dog’s joints. Normally, a dog should consume about 20mg of glucosamine per day for every pound of its weight. Manufacturers are adding trivial quantities of active ingredients to their dog supplements to entice customers, while the food can’t have any serious impact on the health of the dog’s joints.
- Purchase Products Made in USA: Due to the availability of other manufacturers outside the USA who produce dog supplements, it is important to check where they’re made prior to any purchase. These other manufacturers offer substandard food with trivial supplement quantities at low prices that entice pet stores. Ensure you buy Made in USA products with high-quality consumable products for your dog.
- Choose a Hypoallergenic for Dogs with Allergies: If your dog has exhibited hypersensitivity or an allergic reaction towards a certain ingredient before, go for the hypoallergenic option. Although they don’t provide full proof from causing allergies, they are less likely to use active ingredients that may cause hypersensitivity in dogs.
- Results are Different for Every Dog: Depending on the age and condition of the dog, the supplement effect will be manifested differently. It is advised to start administering the supplement at the age of 5 and earlier for bigger dogs. In case you wait until you see signs of pain and distress on your dog, the joint supplement may provide relief but after one or two months.
- Taste and Format Matters: It is quite discouraging to purchase the best joint supplement and then have them refuse to eat it. The most commonly available delivery formats for joint supplements are tablet chews, liquid, and soft chews; each having its merits and demerits.
When it comes to choosing the most palatable, go for the liquids or soft chews as dogs will prefer these mostly. Ruff Hero’s soft chews also come with a range of nutraceuticals and yummy flavor, making it the preferred choice for many dog owners.
What is the suggested chondroitin dosage for dogs?
- If your dog weighs less than 80 lbs, the recommended Chondroitin dose is 900mg per day.
- For dogs over 80 lbs, the usual dosage of Chondroitin is 1,800mg per day.
Your Vet might decide to increase or decrease these amounts depending on the severity of your dog's joint issues and overall health.
What about MSM dosage for dogs?
MSM (Methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is an active ingredient in most joint supplements for dogs, it helps with arthritis and mobility issues or to recovery after surgeries like Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO), Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) and other. The recommended dose of MSM for dogs is 50mg to 100mg per 10 pounds of body weight.
Can a dog get too much glucosamine and chondroitin?
Just like any other medication, overdosing your dog with Glucosamine may have adverse effects, however, since Glucosamine is more a food supplement than a drug, chances of hurting your dog are small, in most cases excess of Glucosamine might cause diarrhea and/or vomiting.
Just be mindful that if the joint supplement given to your dog contains other active ingredients those may be more dangerous when administered in excess.
Side Effects
Few side effects and adverse reactions could occur with administration of glucosamine chondroitin for dogs, keep an eye on your dog whenever you initiate a new treatment, secondary effects might include:
- Allergies especially in dogs allergic to shellfish. Plant-based options are however available.
- Increased thirst and urination
- Fatigue
- Since it’s sugar-based, it should be administered with care in diabetic dogs
- Some dogs might get upset stomach or diarrhea, in most cases, this can be avoided by giving the glucosamine chondroitin supplement with a meal, especially the first doses.
- Formulations combined with chondroitin should not be given to dogs with blood clotting problems or on blood thinners, e.g., warfarin² since it is a blood thinner in itself.
People also ask
Typically, the initial dose of glucosamine is on the high end, once your dog shows improvement, the dose can be reduced and commonly kept for the remainder of the dog's life.
The general consensus is that dogs need 20 mg/day per pound of body weight. For small dogs between 5-25 lbs the treatment is 250-500mg per day.
Yes but make sure it’s only Glucosamine, if your supplement has added ingredients, which is quite possible. then make sure all those ingredients are dog safe before sharing your health supplement with your dog.
Each dog is different and they might respond differently to various glucosamine supplements. Ruff Hero’s proprietary Joint supplement was designed with the safety of your dog in mind as well as to provide the most effective treatment for pain relief and mobility improvement. In fact, Ruff Hero’s supplement has up to 400% more Glucosamine that some of the popular brands, plus organic ingredients and no fillers that may upset your dog’s tummy.
Yes, this is a typical response of giving your dog too much Glucosamine too fast. Make sure you start slow and build up to the recommended dose according to your dog’s weight.
All dogs are different and it depends on the severity of the problem, you should expect to see a difference in2-3 months assuming you have been consistent with the right dose.
The best Joint Supplement has not only Glucosamine, but it should also contain Chondroitin and MSM. Other than these ingredients, Ruff Hero’s supplement contains Organic Turmeric and Black Pepper to boost effectiveness and provide faster improvement. Also, make sure the supplement you choose doesn’t contain fillers or things like Canola that may upset your dog’s digestive system.
There have been many studies about this, there is an indication that Glucosamine supplements do help dogs with mobility issues. However, choosing the right joint supplement is critical, make sure it contains appropriate levels of Glucosamine as well as natural ingredients and mobility boosters like Chondroitin and MSM for example.
Glucosamine by itself might not be enough if your dog is already suffering from joint pain, in this case, look for a dog supplement that contains anti-inflammatory and pain-relief ingredients like Turmeric, Black Pepper or Hemp.
If you want to go the raw diet route, then the following will provide your dog with a boost of natural glucosamine: fresh beef trachea, chicken feet, and pork tails. Moreover, any parts that contain a lot of connective tissue and cartilage typically have a high concentration of not only Glucosamine but also Chondroitin.
Also, Turmeric is very popular as a natural option to help dogs with arthritis and joint pain. There are many yummy recipes that you can craft for your pooch using Turmeric.
If your busy schedule doesn't allow time for preparing foods at home, then you may want to consider glucosamine supplements, check out our natural and dog-approved Hip and Joint Supplement.
Contributor
Jason M. Collins
